05/11/2014 - The Cowboys came into the draft looking to change their fortunes by improving a defense that was not only worst in the league last season but the worst in team history. But with their top defensive targets off the board -- UCLA defensive end Anthony Barr to Minnesota at No. 9, Pittsburgh defensive tackle Aaron Donald went to St. Louis 13th and Ohio State linebacker Ryan Shazier two picks later -- the Cowboys did the next best thing. They drafted Martin, a versatile offensive lineman who could be the top guard or second-ranked tackle in this draft, to help what is already a dynamic offense and give franchise quarterback Tony Romo more protection. "One of my biggest things is my versatility," Martin said. "Any thing I can do to help the team is what I'm willing to do."

Recall Romo is coming off back surgery for the second straight offseason and turns 34 in 2014. Some wondered why the Cowboys didn't push to get a pass rusher after DeMarcus Ware and Jason Hatcher moved on. But with 10 more picks in the draft, there is time to focus on defense the rest of the way, starting with the second and third rounds Friday. This is the third time in four years that the Cowboys have taken an offensive lineman in the first round. That is quite a change for a team that didn't take an offensive lineman in the first round from 1989-2010. Martin joins left tackle Tyron Smith in 2011 and center Travis Frederick in 2013. Look the Cowboys to plug Martin in at right guard next to Doug Free with a possible move to tackle in 2015 when Free becomes a free agent. Martin said they spoke to him about playing guard Thursday night. - The Sports Xchange

05/11/2014 - A closer look at the Cowboys' picks: Round 1/16 -- Zach Martin, OL, 6-4, 308, Notre Dame...The Cowboys passed quarterback Johnny Manziel to take him. He started every game the last two years at Notre Dame. He is very versatile, can play all five positions. Will be a walk-in starter at guard and move to tackle next season. - The Sports Xchange

05/08/2014 - 2014 DRAFT SCOUT FINAL TOP 100: 12/1. Zack Martin, OG, Notre Dame, 6-4, 308, 5.22, 1...Although all 39 of his college starts were at tackle, teams are looking at Martin mostly as a guard. He is short for a left tackle and perhaps not powerful enough for a right tackle. Regardless, he is a team leader who made a case for himself at tackle with a good showing in the Senior Bowl workouts. Frankly: Picking a position for him to play is the only issue. This smart, aware, two-time team captain with the most career games in Notre Dame history (52) can certainly play somewhere. - Frank Cooney, NFLDraftScout.com

05/06/2014 - The Sports Xchange 2014 NFL Draft Best Team Fit: Baltimore Ravens...OT Zack Martin, Notre Dame: The Ravens need an offensive tackle, specifically a right tackle, after Michael Oher signed with the Tennessee Titans. Martin is an aggressive player with strong technique who has positional flexibility as a left tackle and right tackle who's also played guard. Unlike Michigan offensive tackle Taylor Lewan, Martin should be available when the Ravens are picking at No. 17 overall. - Frank Cooney, The Sports Xchange

05/06/2014 - The Sports Xchange 2014 NFL Draft Best Team Fit: Miami Dolphins...OT Zack Martin, Notre Dame: The Dolphins, who have the 19th pick, need major help on the offensive line. Some think Martin is better suited to be a guard. In that case, No. 19 would be a high selection. Then again, Miami allowed a NFL-worst 58 sacks last season. If Martin isn't there maybe they go with Alabama tackle Cyrus Kouandjio. - Frank Cooney, The Sports Xchange

05/06/2014 - Dane Brugler's 2014 NFL Draft Final Top-50: 11. Zack Martin OG, Notre Dame (6-4, 308, 5.22, rSR)...Martin manned the left tackle spot the last four years at Notre Dame, but he projects best inside where he could be a future Pro Bowler. Several teams still view him as a tackle, but regardless, he has the base, punch and smarts to start from day one in the NFL. - Dane Brugler, NFLDraftScout.com

04/29/2014 - 2014 NFL Draft Offensive Line: Zack Martin, Notre Dame, 6-4, 308, 5.22...Although all 39 of his college starts were at tackle, teams are looking at Martin mostly as a guard. He is short for a left tackle and perhaps not powerful enough for a right tackle. Regardless, he is a team leader who made a case for himself at tackle with a good showing in the Senior Bowl workouts. Frankly: Picking a position for him to play is somewhat semantic, to stretch a meaning. This smart, aware, two-time team captain with the most career games in Notre Dame history (52) can certainly play somewhere. - Frank Cooney, The Sports Xchange

04/03/2014 - 2014 Pro Days: Notre Dame's Nix, Martin take care of business...Martin stood on his numbers from the NFL Combine, but did perform positional drills and has done little this pre-draft process to scare off the many scouts who turned in first round grades on the versatile lineman. The four-year starter said he is ready to play guard or tackle in the NFL and that teams have talked to him about both. - Dane Brugler, NFLDraftScout.com

02/20/2014 - 2014 NFL Draft Scout Pre-Combine Top 64 Prospects: 12. Zack Martin, OT, Notre Dame, 6-4, 305, 5.22, 1...Some teams may see Martin as a guard prospect because although he is obviously a talented offensive lineman, he is a bit short for a left tackle and perhaps not powerful enough for a right tackle. Still, he made a case for himself at tackle with a good showing in the Senior Bowl workouts and regardless of where he eventually lines up, teams agree that he has ample talent to be an outstanding starter somewhere up front. - Frank Cooney, The Sports Xchange

01/22/2014 - 2014 Senior Bowl Wednesday...During off-season preparation for the 2013 season, Notre Dame OL Zack Martin emerged as one of Dane Brugler's "prospect crushes" because of his ability square, punch and mirror rushers. He has lined up at both guard and tackle this week and routinely stymied the competition with quickness, power and overall technique. Martin is very good at keeping his feet underneath him while keeping his butt low to handle both speed and power. His lack of elite lateral range was tested on a few occasions, which is why his best NFL position is inside at guard. However, he has been one of the few blockers this week who has been able to keep up with Pittsburgh DT Aaron Donald. Entering the week, Martin was Brugler's top overall player participating in Mobile and after three days of practice, that's not changing any time soon. Some teams will look to keep him at tackle, but he is a future Pro Bowler at guard. - Rob Rang & Dane Brugler, NFLDraftScout.com

01/20/2014 - 2014 SENIOR BOWL, OFFENSIVE LINE: Top player: Zack Martin, Notre Dame...Arguably the top overall prospect in Mobile this week, Martin started four seasons for the Irish at left tackle and showed steady improvement each season. There is some debate as to whether he should stay at tackle or move to guard, but regardless, he projects as a 10-year NFL starter. - Dane Brugler, NFLDraftScout.com

01/01/2014 - Risers-Fallers from early bowl games...Notre Dame senior left tackle Zack Martin heads off the list of players who clearly entered the bowl season feeling as if they had something still left to prove. Considering that Martin started his school record 52nd career game in Notre Dame's Pinstripe Bowl win over Rutgers, he didn't have to prove anything to scouts. Demonstrating impressive upper body strength and underrated athleticism to lock down the edge against the Scarlet Knights, he may have helped reassured scouts that he'll be able to remain outside at left tackle in the NFL, despite a body type that suggests his pro future lies inside at guard. - Rob Rang, NFLDraftScout.com

12/24/2013 - 2013 FBS ALL-INDEPENDENT FIRST TEAM (MEDIA): OL Zack Martin (Sr.) Notre Dame,...Martin, the 18th two-time captain in school history, has started a school-record 51 games for Notre Dame over the last four seasons. He can also claim to have sung the fabled "Notre Dame Victory March" in celebration just about as much as any starter to ever play for the Irish. He has been in the starting lineup for 36 victories during his time at Notre Dame, the third most in school history. - Notre Dame football

09/07/2013 - PLAYERS TO WATCH: LT Zack Martin is set for his 41st career start on Saturday at Michigan. The Lombardi Award and Outland Trophy contender is one of the first set of brothers to start at Notre Dame since 1900. Junior Chris Martin is at center. - The Sports Xchange

08/31/2013 - PLAYERS TO WATCH IN 2013: LT Zach Martin has 39 consecutive starts and gave rookie quarterback Everett Golson plenty of protection in 2012. He's eligible for the 2013 NFL draft, but opted for another year with the Irish. - The Sports Xchange

07/17/2013 - 2013 LOMBARDI AWARD WATCH LIST: G Zack Martin, Notre Dame...Started all 13 games at left tackle ... enters 2013 season with 39 consecutive starts ... named a second team All-American by Walter Camp Football Foundation and earned Notre Dame offensive lineman of the year award for third consecutive season ... helped Irish run for at least 200 yards seven times in 2012, including six of the last nine contests ... Notre Dame had not posted more 200+ yard rushing games in a single season since 1996 when the Irish registered nine games with at least 200 yards rushing ... over last nine games, Notre Dame combined to rush for 1,901 yards (359 attempts) for 5.3 yards per carry and 15 rushing TDs. - Notre Dame football

07/17/2013 - 2013 OUTLAND TROPHY WATCH LIST: Zack Martin, Notre Dame, OT...Started all 13 games at left tackle ... enters 2013 season with 39 consecutive starts ... named a second team All-American by Walter Camp Football Foundation and earned Notre Dame offensive lineman of the year award for third consecutive season ... helped Irish run for at least 200 yards seven times in 2012, including six of the last nine contests ... Notre Dame had not posted more 200+ yard rushing games in a single season since 1996 when the Irish registered nine games with at least 200 yards rushing ... over last nine games, Notre Dame combined to rush for 1,901 yards (359 attempts) for 5.3 yards per carry and 15 rushing TDs. - Notre Dame football

Player News

05/11/2014 - The Cowboys came into the draft looking to change their fortunes by improving a defense that was not only worst in the league last season but the worst in team history. But with their top defensive targets off the board -- UCLA defensive end Anthony Barr to Minnesota at No. 9, Pittsburgh defensive tackle Aaron Donald went to St. Louis 13th and Ohio State linebacker Ryan Shazier two picks later -- the Cowboys did the next best thing. They drafted Martin, a versatile offensive lineman who could be the top guard or second-ranked tackle in this draft, to help what is already a dynamic offense and give franchise quarterback Tony Romo more protection. "One of my biggest things is my versatility," Martin said. "Any thing I can do to help the team is what I'm willing to do."

Recall Romo is coming off back surgery for the second straight offseason and turns 34 in 2014. Some wondered why the Cowboys didn't push to get a pass rusher after DeMarcus Ware and Jason Hatcher moved on. But with 10 more picks in the draft, there is time to focus on defense the rest of the way, starting with the second and third rounds Friday. This is the third time in four years that the Cowboys have taken an offensive lineman in the first round. That is quite a change for a team that didn't take an offensive lineman in the first round from 1989-2010. Martin joins left tackle Tyron Smith in 2011 and center Travis Frederick in 2013. Look the Cowboys to plug Martin in at right guard next to Doug Free with a possible move to tackle in 2015 when Free becomes a free agent. Martin said they spoke to him about playing guard Thursday night. - The Sports Xchange